Photographic composing machine



May 30, 1939. L. MEYER PHOTCGRAPHIC COMPOSING MACHINE 5 sneaks-sheet 1 Filed Aug. 15, 1936 {NVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

May 30, 1939 L. MEYER 2,160,750

FHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 15, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORN EYS L. MEYER May 30, 1939.

5 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIrrEII. J 1 llll l ur I II INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

y 30, 1939- L. MEYER 1 2,160,750

PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 15, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 gZDMQNVENTOR BY i a ATTO R N EYS.

May 30, 1939. MEYER 2,160,750

PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPOSING MACHINE Filed Aug. 15, 1936 5 Sheds-Sheet 5 I 1 z v O 25b '1 25 l Z3 1 INVENTOR BYWA m ATTORNEYS u Patented May 30, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PHOTOGBAPHIC OOMPOSING MAOHINI Application August 15, 1986. Serial No. 06.149

30 Claims.

This invention relates to photographic composing machines. An object of this invention is a machine which is simple in operation to image successively a series of selected characters in desired relation upon a light sensitive surface for preparing photographic compositions for printing or other pur- One embodiment of the present invention comprises a machine consisting of a base and a pro- I jector mounted thereabove for vertical adjust ment. On the base two carriages are supported for movement toward and away from each other. The carriages are provided with means for sup- 5 porting a strip of photographic material for longitudinal movement and with means for feeding the strip longitudinally by relative movement of the carriages. One of the carriages is provided with a rotatable shutter which is arranged to cover that portion of the strip extending between the carriages when the latter are in spaced relation. In combination with the projector there is exposed for thepurpose of reproducing the next desired character which is determined by proper adjustment of the fllm. The operation of the machine is simple and the images of the desired characters may be easily and quickly produced on the photographic material in desired relation. Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a front elevation partially broken off of a machine. embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 8; Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the strip feeding means;

Figs. 7 to 10 inclusive are diagrammatic figures illustrating the sequence of positions assumed by 55 the carriages in operation of the machine; v

mllr x'ig. 11 is a perspective view of the-character Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12-42 of Fig. 1;

Iglg. 13 is a section on the line ll-IS of Fig. 12, an

Fig. 14 is a section on the line l t-ll of Fig. 12.

In the embodiment disclosed, a rectangular base It supports at its rear portion four hollow posts II on the upper ends of which is mounted a head 12. A frame II is provided with grooved 10 wheels H which engage the posts ll. Cables l5 extend from the frame II over pulleys it in the head I2 and are attached to springs l1 arranged in two of the posts it 'near the bottom thereof. A shaft I! is journalled in the frame l3 5 and carries a pinion. i'l which meshes with a rack it formed on one post ii. A wheel is is provided at one end of the shaft' It for rotating the same to effect vertical adjustment of the frame through the interaction of the rack i8 and go pinion II. The springs ll largely counterbalance the weight of the frame it and facilitate adjustment thereof. Threaded on to the end of the shaft II opposite the wheel I! is a lock nut 20 which when tightened clamps the frame IS in any 25 position of adjustment.

The frame It constitutes a support for a lamp housing 21 in which a lamp 22 is mounted in the usual manner. A film supporting slide 23 is arranged below the lamp 2!. One edge of the 30 slide 23 is received in'grooved rollers 24 having stationary axes and the other edge is received in grooved rollers 25 arranged at the ends of pivoted levers 284 with a spring 2!!) applying pressure to the levers 25a tending to move the rollers 25 toward the rollers 24. The slide 13 has a central slot in which, between two glass plates is arranged a strip of film 1'' provided with transparent characters. An objective lens L is supported by the frame in cooperative relation to the lamp to produce images of the film characters. The position of the lens L is adjustable for focusing purposes by means of the rack 24a and pinion 250.

Two rails 26 and 21 extend longitudinally of the base Ill and near the rail 21 are provided two rollers 28 having stationary axes. Two carriages 2! and 3|! have their rear ends resting on the rollers II and have their front ends slidably supported by the rail 20 through the medium of bearing members ll having grooves riding on the shaft 20. Journalled in the rails 28 are shafts l2 and 33 provided respectively with knurled buttons 3| and SI at their outer ends and at their inner ends with pinions 3i and Il which mesh 6 with racks 39 and 39 carried respectively by the plates 29 and 35. By proper rotation of the shafts 32 and 33 the carriages 29 and 35 may be moved toward and away from each other.

The carriages 29 and 35 are provided with alined passageways 45, each passageway being provided with spaced grooves 4| and 4ia. Hous ings 43 and 43a arevremovably attached to the carriages 29 and 35 by bolts 44 and have apertures in alinement with the ends of the passageway 45. The housings 43 and 43a are provided with riders 44a which slide on the rail 21 and support the weight of the housing. 4 these housings is provided with a spool 45 for supporting a roll of photographic paper For the like, the paper being fed from one housing to the other through the passageway". Cooperating spindles 455 are connected to the spools 45 by belts 45a. Bars 42 are provided to be received in the grooves 4| and 41a depending upon which of two widths of photographic strip is to be used. With the narrow strip the bars are arranged in the grooves 4| and with the wide strip they are arranged in the grooves 4|a. The effective width of the passageway 45 is thus adapted to the width of the strip P.

A shutter 45 is carried by the lower end of a vertical shaft 41 Journalled in a housing 48 mounted on the carriage 35, both of the carriages 29 and 35 being suitably recessed to receive such shutter. The shutter is arranged at a higher 'level than the passageway 45 and is composed of two opposed 95 sectors. Driving means for the shutter comprises a motor 45 connected through a clutch with a shaft 55 geared to the shaft 41. The clutch consists of a toothed wheel driven by the motor and a drum 52 carried by the shaft 55; the drum 52 having a springactuated pivoted dog 53 adapted to fit between the teeth of the wheel 5| and thus lock the latter to the drum 52. The dog 53 is normally held disengaged from the teeth of the 'wheel 5| by a lever 54 which is maintained in operative position'by a spring 55. Movement of the lever 54 into inoperative position releases the dog 53 which is then forced by its spring into engagement with the teeth of the wheel 5|, thus causing rotation of the shutter. Rotation of the shaft 55 is stopped after one complete revolution by withdrawal of at the end of the revolution. The position of the dog 53 is such that the shutter comes to rest in the position shown in Fig. 3; that is, with onesector projecting from the carriage 55' toward or into the carriage 29,'depending upon the-relative position of the two carriages.

Means are provid on the carriages for selectively clamping the strip P of photographic paper to one of the carriages. Such clamping means consists of vertical pins 55 and 51 arranged respectively in vertical bores in the carriages 29 and" 35 so located that the pins 55 and 51 are engageable with the underface of the strip P.

' letters on the strip P is obtained.

Cams 5 5 and 59 mounted on the shaft 55 are provided for elevating the pins whilesprings 5| are provided for retracting the pins. The cam I Each of so is such that with the crank handle 02 depending in vertical position, both pins 55 and 51 are in inoperative position but when the crank handle spacing lines A between which, preferably, is

included the corresponding character in reduced size. A transparent line I: extends longitudinally of the film and the arrangement of the film slide is such that the longitudinal transparent line I: passes through the optical axis of the projection system and its image coincides with the front edge of the strip P. The projector produces an image or the desired character focused in the plane of the strip P and images of the spacing lines focused on the shield 53 which extends from one carriage to the other in horizontal alinement with the strip P. t

The machine is conditioned for operation by passing a strip P of photographic material from the housing 43 through the alined passageways 45 and into the housing 4311 with the lever 52 in vertical position and both pins 55 and -51 in retracted position The lever 52 is now swung to the left to elevate the pin 51,-thereby clamping the strip P to the carriage 35. Next, with the motor 49 running and the lamp 22 turned on, the slide 29 is manipulated to produce an image of the desired character and the carriages 29 and moved to locate them in spaced relation with the shutter interrupting the images and images of the spacing line appearing on the shield 53 (Fig. 3). Next, the two carriages 29 and 35 are moved to bring their inner edges into register with the images of the spacing lines 11 whereupon 7 the operator trips the lever 54, thereby clutching the motor to the shutter and causing rotation of the latter (Fig. 8) thus effecting exposure of the strip-P to the character image. After the shutter has completed its rotation and has-again come to rest, the operator swings the lever 52 to the right, thereby retracting the pin 51 to release the strip P from the carriage 95 and elevating the pin to clamp such strip to the carriage 29. Next,

the operator moves the two carriages into en-- gagement by manipulation of the buttons 34 and 35, (Fig. 9) thereby moving the strip P into the carriage 35 a distance equal to the distance between the spacing lines. With the carriages in engagement, the operator again swings the lever 52 to the left to release the strip P from the carriage 25 and again clamp it to the carriage 35, thereby holding the strip in'its advanced position. The carriages are now again manipulated to space their edges (Fig. 10) prior to being brought into-alinement with the. spacing lineimages of the next desired character. By the procedure just described, normal spacing of the Means are provided for obtaining less than or greater than standard spacing. This means con sists of a pin mounted on the carriage 29 and a pin 55 mounted on the carriage 35. The pin 54 is mounted in a post 55 for micrometer adjustment by means of the rotatable handle 51 and the pin 55 is slidably moimted in a post 55 and held in adJusted position by a clamp screw 53.

Normally,thepin8lisclaimedinthepostl8in such position that the end of the pin I is in vertical alinement with the inner edge of the carriage It. In its zero position, the pin it has its inner end in vertical alinement with the inner edge of the carriage 20. If it be desired to obtain less than standard spacing, the pin 04 is adjusted so that it projects a predetermined amount beyond the inner edge of the carriage 9. Thus, when the carriages I! are moved toward each other, the extent of movement is reduced and the extent to which the strip P is fed in the carriage II is correspondingly reduced. If greater than the standard spacing is desired, the screw 8! is released and the pin 64 properly adjusted. Then, after the carriages have been brought together and the handle 62 manipulated to release the strip P from the carriage 29 and clamp it to the carriage 30, they are pushed apart a slight distance by sliding the pin .5 to bring the shoulder Ii into engagement with the post and the lever 62 returns to its right-hand position and the carriages move again into contact. A dial I2 is fixed to the shaft I. and has indlcia which are visible through an aperture II in the frame it. ,These indlcia correspond to difl'erent type sizes and by reference to the indlcia the projector may be set at the proper height to produce images of any desired type size.

Although the character carrier F has been specifically disclosed as a strip of film, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the use of film but that a strip of glass or other similar material may constitute the character carrier. Furthermore, although the character carrier has been described as being provided with transparent characters with an opaque background, the invention also contemplates a character carrier provided with opaque characters having a transparent background. With either type .of character carrier, images of the characters may be projected, spaced and printed as above disclosed.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial 5,510, filed February 8, 1935.

I claim: l.,In a photo-printing machine, a character carrier having opaque and transparent sections defining the characters and spacing lines therefor, a pair of carriages movable toward and away from each other and having means for supporting a strip of photographic material for longitudinal movement in the direction of movement of said carriages, means to produce an image of a selected character on said strip between adjacent edges of said carriages, shutter means on one carriage for controlling exposure of said strip to said image and means on said carriages for selectively clamping said strip thereto.

' 2. In a photo-printing machine according to claim 1, adjustable means on said carriages for limiting movement thereof toward each other.

3. In a photo-printing machine, a character carrier having opaque and transparent sections defining the characters and spacing lines therefor, a pair of carriages movable toward and away from each other and having means for slidably supporting a strip of photographic material for longitudinal movement, means to produce an image of a selected character on said strip, a sector-shaped shutter rotatably supported by one carriage in overlying relation to said strip and normally projecting beyond the edge of its carriage in covering relation to said strip, and means for rotating said shutter to expose said strip to said image. I

4. In a photo-printing machine according to claim 3, adjustable means on said carriages for limiting movement thereof toward each other.

5. In a photo-printing machine according to claim 4, means for selectively clamping said strip to said carriages.

6. In a photo-printing machine, a character carrier having opaque and transparent sections defining the characters and spacing lines therefor, a pair of carriages movable toward and away from each other and having means for slidably supporting a strip of photographic material for longitudinal movement, means to produce an image of a selected character on said strip, a sector-shaped shutter rotatably supported by one carriage in overlying. relation to said strip and normally projecting beyond the edge of its carriage in covering relation to said strip, a motor, driving means between said motor and shutter including a normally disengaged clutch, and automatic means for disengaging the clutch after rotation of said shutter through a predetermined arc.

'7. In a photo-printing machine according to claim 6, adjustable means on said carriages for limiting movement thereof toward each other.

8. In a photo-printing machine according to claim 6, means for selectively clamping said film to said carriages.

9. A photo-printing machine comprising a pair of carriages mounted for movement toward and away from each other, said carriages having means for supporting a strip of photographic material for longitudinal movement, a character holder, means for producing an image of a character in the plane of said strip, a sector-shaped shutter rotatably supported by one carriage in overlying relation to said strip and normally projecting beyond the edge of its carriage in overlying relation to said strip, and means for rotating said shutter to expose said strip to the character image.

10. A photo-printing machine according to claim 9 characterized by adjustable means on said carriages for limiting movement thereof toward each other.

11. A photo-printing machine according to claim 9 characterized by means for selectively clamping said strip to said carriages.

12. A photo-printing machine according to claim 9 in which the shutter rotating means comprises a motor, a normally disengaged clutch between said motor and shutter, means for engaging said clutch, and automatic means for disengaging the clutch after rotation 01 the shutter through a predetermined are.

13. In a photo-printing machine, a pair of carriages mounted for movement toward and away from each other, said carriages having alined passageways to receive a strip of photographic material, a pin mounted in each carriage for movement into clamping engagement with said strip, an operating cam for each pin, and a common actuating member for said cams, said cams being so related to each other that in one position of the actuating memberv both pins are out of clamping relation and that in either of two other positions of the operating member one pin is in clamping relation while the other pin is out of clamping relation.

14. In a photo-printing machine, a pair of carriages mounted for movement toward and away from each other, said carriages having alined passageways to receive a strip of photographic matehaving an aperture conununic'ating'with said passageway, means'in each housing for supporting a roll of photographic'material, and means on said carriages for selectively clamping said strip thereto.

15 In a photo-printing machine, an elongated character-holder, supporting means therefor comprising a pair of stationary axes, groove rollers engaging one edge, a second pair of grooved rollers engaging the other edge, pivoted arms supporting said second pair of rollers and resilient means urging said". second pair of rollers toward said first pair of rollers.

16. In a photo-printing machine, a pair of carriages mounted for movement toward and away from each other, said carriages having alined passageways to receive'a strip of photographic material, means on each carriage for clamping the strip thereto, and a common operating member for said clamping means, said clamping means being so'related to each other that in one position of the operating member the first of said clamping means is operative and the second of said clamping means is inoperative while in a second position of the operating member said first clamping means is inoperative and said second clamping means is operative.

1'1. In a photo-printing machine, a pair of carriages mounted for movement toward and away from each other, said carriages having aiined passageways to receive a strip of photographic material, a first pin mounted in one carriage and a second pin mounted in the other carriage for movement into clamping engagement with said strip, an operating cam for each pin and a common shaft for said cams, said cams being so related to each other that in one position of said shaft the first pin is out oi and the second pin is in clamping relation and that in another position of its carriage, a shield extending from one carriage in horizontal alinement with said strip, a character carrier having a row of opaque and transparent sections defining the characters in one longitudinal portion thereof and corresponding opaque and transparent sections defining spacing indicia in the remaining longitudinal portion, means for selectively imaging said characters on said shutter and the corresponding indicia on said shield, and means for rotating said shutter.

19. A photo-printing machine according to claim 18 wherein the shutter rotating means comprises a motor, driving means between said motor and shutter including a' normally disengaged clutch; manually operable means for engaging said clutch, and automatic means for disengaging said clutch after one complete revolution of said shutter.

20. A photo-printing machine comprising a movable character carrier having opaque and transparent'sections defining the characters, a pair of carriages movable toward-and away from each other, means on said carriages to support a rial, a housing supported by each carriage and p strip of photographic material and eflect intermittent feed of the-same by movement or the carriages toward and away from each other, means to produce an image of a selected character on said strip between said carriagesand shutter means on onecarriage for controlling exposure oi said strip to said image.

21. A photo-printing machine comprising a movable character carrier having opaque and transparent sections defining the characters, a pair of carriages movable toward andaway from each other, means on said carriages to support a strip of photographic material and eiiect intermittent feed of the same by movement of the carriages toward and away from each other, means to produce an image of a selected character on said strip between said carriages, shutter means on one carriage for controlling exposure of said strip to said image, and adjustable means on said carriages for limiting movement thereof toward each other.

22. A photo-printing machine comprising a movable character carrier having opaque and transparent sections defining the characters, a pair of carriages movable toward and away from each other, means on said carriages to support a strip of photographic material and effect'intermittent movement of the same by movement of the carriages toward and away from each other, a sector-shaped shutter rotatably supported by one carriage in overlying relation to said strip and normally projecting beyond the edge of its carriage in covering relation to said strip, a motor, driving means betweensaid motor and shutter including a normally disengaged clutch, and manually operable means for efiecting engagement of said clutch.

23. A photo-printing machine comprising a movable character carrier having opaque and transparent sections defining the characters, a pair of carriages movable toward and away from each other, means on said carriages to support a strip of photographic material and effect intermittent movement of the same by movement'oi the carriages toward and away from each other, a sector-shaped shutter rotatably supported by one carriage in overlying relation to said strip and normally projecting beyond the edge of its carriage in covering relation to said strip, a mo- ,0

tor, driving means between said motor and shutter including a normally disengaged clutch, man- 'ually operable means for effecting engagement of said clutch, and automatic means for disengaging the clutch after rotation of said shutter throng a predetermined arc.

24. A photo-printing machine according to claim 23 characterized by adjustable means on said carriages for limiting movement thereof toward each other.

25. A photo-printing machine comprising a movable character carrier having opaque and transparent sections defining the characters, a pair of carriages movable toward and away from each other, means on each carriage for supporting and clamping a strip of photographic material thereto, means to produce an image of a selected film character on said strip between the adjacent edges of said carriages,shutter means on said carriages for controlling exposure or said strip to said image, and a common operating member for said clamping means, said clamping means being so related to each other that in one position 01 the operating member the first of said clamping means is operative and the second of said clamping means is inoperative while in a second position oi the operating member said first clamping member is inoperative and said second clamping means is operative.

26. A photo-printing machine comprising a movable character carrier having opaque and transparentsections defining the characters, a pair of carriages movable toward and away from each other, means on said carriages for supporting a strip oi photographic material, means to produce an image of a selected film character on said strip between adjacent edges of said carriages, shutter means on said carriages for controlling exposure of said strip to said image, and means for selectively clamping said strip to said carriages, said means comprising a first pin mounted on the one carriage and a second pin mounted in the other carriage for movement into clamping engagement with said strip, a supporting cam for each pin, and a common shaft for said cams, said cams being so related to each other that in one position 01' said shaft the first pin is out of and the second pin is in clamping relation and in another position of the shaft the first pin is in and the second pin is out 01 clamping relation.

27. A photo-printing machine comprising a pair of carriages mounted for movement toward and away from each other, said carriages having means for slidably supporting a holder adapted to carry a lightsensitive substance, a character holder, means for producing an image of the character in the plane of the sensitized sheet, and a shutter carried by one carriage in overlying relation to the plane of the sensitized sheet, said shutter being normally arranged to cover that portion of the sheet extending between the carriages when in spaced relation and being movable to expose the sensitized sheet to the character image.

28. A photo-printing machine comprising a pair of carriages mounted for movement toward and away from each other, a holder for a light sensitive substance slidably supported by said carriages, a character holder, means for producing an image of the character in the plane of the sensitized sheet, a rotatable shutter carried by one carriage in overlying relation to the sensitized sheet and normally arranged to cover that portion of the sheet extending between. the carriages when in spaced relation, and means for rotating said shutter to expose the sensitized sheet to the character image.

29. A photo-printing machine comprising a pair of carriages mounted for movement toward and away from each other, said carriages having means for supporting a strip of photographic material for longitudinal movement in the direction of movement of said carriages, a character holder, means for selectively fixing said strip relatively to said carriages, means for producing an image of the character on said strip between said carriages, and shutter means controlling exposure of said strip to said image.

30. A photo-printing machine comprising a pair of carriages mounted for movement toward and away from each other, a strip of photographic material, means to efiect longitudinal movement oi said strip, a character holder having opaque and transparent sections defining characters ad spacing lines therefor, means to selectively produce an image of a film character on said strip in selected position, and shutter means for controlling exposure of said sheet to said image.

LOUIS MEYER. 

